Sadsbury Township supervisors are reviewing suggestions the Lancaster County Planning Commission has made to their proposed new zoning ordinance.
Gwen Newell, county community planner, told supervisors Nov. 3 the county had some concerns about the township’s lack of a public water supply, and that it consider protective steps to preserve historic sites, not just historic structures.
Newell said an “extra layer of protection” requiring that the history of sites and buildings be documented before they are destroyed might save sites such as the Christiana Riot house, which was demolished long ago.
“Our planning commission didn’t want to deal with another layer of historic red tape,” said Supervisor Linda Swift.
Supervisor Eugene Lammey said the long “fiasco” over the historic Enola line involving many layers of federal, state and county bureaucracy might explain the planning commission’s reluctance. Supervisors will have to decide whether a site is historic if it is 100, 150 or 200 years old.
As for public water, the township does provide public sewage through an inter-municipal arrangement with Christiana Borough, but does not presently offer public water. Supervisors said they would review the ability to obtain public water with their solicitor, Frank Mincarelli.
Newell said she will continue to meet with the township planning commission and supervisors about the document in progress.
Supervisors also heard from residents Mark Wilson, Jeannette Swartzentruber and Steven Swartzentruber, who said speeding has become a big problem along Buck Hill Road, particularly near an Amish school.
“It could cause an accident,” said Wilson. “The speed is really up.”
Steve Swartzentruber said most of the speeding traffic seems to be from saw mill and milk truck drivers, whose brakes also frighten horses in the area.
“It’s just a matter of time before someone gets killed or hurt,” he said.
Supervisors said they would send letters to a saw mill and milk trucking company asking for vigilance, and would also request state police surveillance. Supervisors also said they would consider a traffic study.
In other business supervisors declined to join the Lancaster County Clean Water Consortium because of the $1,000 municipal fee required.
Resident Jim Ranck said ground water might be unfit for cattle consumption near one road, but very clean in another area. He said he feels the Department of Environmental Protection often knows where there is stream pollution, but does not want to do the work to correct problems.
Supervisors approved Ranck to a three-year term on the zoning hearing board to fill a vacancy.
Supervisors also said they have had many questions about on-street parking in residential developments, which is prohibited regardless of weather. With snow anticipated, supervisors will be ticketing illegally parked cars.
Finally, supervisors agreed to do repairs to its landscaped flagpole, which has faulty wiring, and set a road tour for 4 p.m. Nov. 23.
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